HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/5/2018 - Minuteseaunt�taf jqaam&
PLANNING COMMISSION
JANUARY 5,, 2018
Roanoke County Commissioners Present:
Mr. Wayne Bower
Mr. Troy Henderson
Mr. Rick James
Mr. Paul Mahoney
Mr. Jim Woltz
Roanoke County Staff Present:
Ms. Megan Cronise, Principal Planner
Mr. Peter Lubeck, Senior Assistant County Attorney
Ms. Bailey DuBois
Ms. Cecile Newcomb
Mr. Alex Jones
Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary
Roanoke City Commissioners Present:
Mr. Kit Hale
Ms. Angela Penn
Ms. Karri Atwood
Mr. Tony Russell
Ms. Lora Katz
Ms. Sarah Glenn
Roanoke City Staff' Present:
Mr. Brian Townsend, Assistant City Manager
Mr. Chris Chittum, Planning Director
Mr. Ian Shaw, Planning Administrator
Mr, Wayne Leftwich
Ms. Tina Carr
Ms. Katherine Gray
Ms. Whitney Slightham
WORK SESSION:
Mr, Hale called the meeting to order at 12:00 Ip.m.
Briefings.
1. Oak Grove Planning Study
Ms. Croinise provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Oak Grove area,
including boundaries, zoning, future land use, and property ownership. She
discussed the visual preferences of'the Student Advisory Council, including mixed-
use areas, trolleys, art, entertainment center, trails, off-road bike/pedestrian
Page 1 of 3
ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION {MINUTES
JANUARY 5, 2098
accommodations, hiking trail, and modern apartments. She discussed the Student
Advisory Council's mapping exercise results, including desired establishments,
desired infrastructure, and public amenities, noting they want to make Oak Grove
an area people want to explore with higher density residential areas near
commercial areas for walkability. She stated the students also stated that
undeveloped properties are opportunities for both indoor and outdoor recreation
areas. Mr. Jones reviewed redevelopment concept maps, including connectivity
of neighborhoods, mixed-use areas, bike/pedestrian access, and recreation. Ms.
Cronise reviewed youth engagement ideas, planned outreach activities, and the
tentative timeline for the study. Ms. Cronise, staff, and the Commissioners
discussed important businesses, groups, and stakeholders located in the study
area. They discussed opportunities and strengths, including vacant properties,
stability of the area, and connectivity of bike trails to parks and other areas. They
discussed challenges of developing the area, including property owners not
wanting development which may impact their property. They discussed
developing specific sections instead of large areas. They discussed traffic impacts
and outdated schools. Ms. Cronise, staff, and the Commissioners discussed
opportunities they envision for the area, including mixed-use development and
finding a balance for older and younger residents in these developments. Mr.
Chittum discussed installing sidewalks and bringing development closer to the
sidewalks and roadways, noting Grandin Village has been redesigned to be more
about people instead of vehicles. Mr. Townsend discussed redeveloping vacant
buildings, noting new construction may be more challenging. Ms. Slightham
discussed involving the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and building up
incentives for development. Ms. Cronise discussed economic development areas,
including Oak Grove, Plantation Road/Hollins, and Challenger Avenue.
2. City Comprehensive Plan Update
Mr. Chittum provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the City's
Comprehensive Plan update including methods for community engagement and
the process timeline. Ms. Slightham stated she will be working as an extension of
the team assisting with citizen engagement and outreach. She stated they will
develop branding and determine how they want the City to look in twenty-five
years. Mr. Chittum reviewed the steps regarding development of the plan update,
including mobilize, learn, listen, and interpret and plan, test and refine ideas,
finalize and adopt. He stated they will utilize the Planning Commission as a
steering committee during the process. He discussed regional collaboration with
other localities.
The group discussed plans for future Joint Roanoke City/Roanoke County Planning
Commission meetings.
With no further business or comments, Mr. Hale adjourned the meeting at 12:59 p.m.
Page 2 of 3
ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Respectfully Submitted:
Susan c %y
Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
I ip Th pson
Secreta , Roanoke County Planning Commission
Paul Mahoney
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
Page 3of3
JANUARY 5, 2018